James

Day 2: Reread 1:1 and imagine what kind of situations the people scattered all over the world are in.

Now Read 1:2-18.

What kind of situations are the believers facing? (Recommended to write your answer down as the next few days you will add on to this)

Day 3: Read 1:19-27

What would you title this passage?

Recall what situations the believers were facing (question from Day 2). What insight does this add to the situation they are facing?

Day 4: Read 2:1-13

Think about your church service and who attends it.

What thoughts do we have about others who walk in for service (from their appearance and behavior)?

What kind of situation are the believers facing? (Add on to the previous days’ answers)

What does this passage call us to do?

Day 5: Read 2:14-26

How does this passage help us to piece together the situation in the church (among the believers)?

Day 6: Right after reading 3:1-12, what is the first word/phrase that comes to your mind, say it aloud.

We are seeing more of what is possibly happening in the church that James wrote to address it. Add on your discovery to what situations the believers are facing in the church.

Day 7: Read 3:13-18

What is true wisdom and what is not?

How are the believers behaving? (Add on to your answers about the situation in the church)

Day 8: Read 4:1-6

How are the believers behaving? (Add on to your answers about the situation in the church)

Imagine the tone of James when he “says” this.

Day 9: Read 4:7-12

List down what we are asked to do.

Day 10: Read 4:13-17

What is the intention behind what was said in 4:13?

Our words do reflect what we believe.

At the end of today, reflect on what you’ve said to others. What does it indicate about what you believe?

Day 11: Read 5:1-6

Think about the rich people you know. What does this make you feel for them? Why do you feel this way?

Day 12: Read 5:7-12

Name the virtue we are called to put on.

Which heroes from the past are used to encourage us?

In the midst of waiting for deliverance, we are warned as to our attitude that comes out through our words.

Day 13: Read 5:13-20

In view of tough situations, James ends the letter with a great resource given us so that we can remain faithful. He also mentioned an example from the past of what it could do. What is this resource that we have?

Day 14: Reread Letter of James

Do a summary of it.

Day 15: Do a reflection based on your summary

Reflection

Look at what this letter is addressing (all the answers you wrote about the situations the believers are facing). Now think about what is happening in your church today…

James used the title servant as he started the letter. Who we are - servant of God, and what we do – serve, anchors who we are as believers. The letter then goes on to address a lot of ugliness that is happening. We cannot divorce actions from who we are inside. James spares nothing and doesn’t make it easier despite the difficult situations the believers find themselves in (chp 1:2-18).

In chapter 1:19 onwards, James calls us to examine how the church is behaving beginning with how each individual behaves. The letter of James touches on how our actions correlate with who we are within. James calls that out in 2:4 - that before God we are all equal. Yet why do we think harshly or less of others? The next time we do, perhaps we should remember “Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.” (James 2:12-14)

And finally, the letter of James ends with us having access to a great resource –